_McGrath and Knight Frank open first dual-branded office, located in the regional city of Tamworth
Burke & Smyth Real Estate Tamworth, a business that has been operating in the region for more than 50 years and headed up by well-known and respected locals Gavin Knee as Managing Director and Jason Wherritt as Director and Sales Manager, will rebrand as McGrath Knight Frank Tamworth.
With two of the strongest real estate brands in commercial and residential real estate in Australia – McGrath and Knight Frank - coming together, the office will offer exceptional service and market expertise across all real estate sectors. It will provide services across both the residential and commercial property sectors in sales, leasing and asset management, as well as project marketing, and home loans.
The residential side of the business will be run under McGrath Estate Agents while the commercial side of the business will be run under the Knight Frank brand.
The dual-branded office will elevate the capabilities of the current business through access to national networks, premium marketing and industry-leading resources.
McGrath and Knight Frank have been in a partnership since June 2024 when Knight Frank, together with NZ-based Bayleys, completed a joint acquisition of a controlling stake in McGrath.
Tamworth, located around five hours north of Sydney, is an important regional hub, being the main service centre for the New England area. The McGrath brand of the office will service Tamworth to Gunnedah, while the Knight Frank brand of the office will service Tamworth and northern New South Wales including Armidale, Inverell, Tenterfield, Moree, Narrabri and Gunnedah.
As Principal of the McGrath Knight Frank Tamworth office, Gavin Knee, who has lived in Tamworth for more than 40 years, will head up a team of 20 people. Jason Wherritt will be Director and McGrath Sales Manager.
Mr Knee said the office rebranding would build on the legacy of Burke & Smyth, which had been operating in the region since 1971.
“The transition to McGrath Knight Frank confirms our commitment to strengthening this established presence, and marks an exciting new chapter in Tamworth’s real estate landscape,” he said.
“After proudly serving the region as an independent agency for over 50 years, we’re entering a new era — joining McGrath for our residential services and Knight Frank for our commercial division.
“This move combines our local and regional expertise and the personalised, community-driven approach we’re known for with the resources, reach, and innovation of two industry-leading networks.“It’s a change we’re proud of and one that allows us to offer even greater value to our clients and community. Our clients and their properties will benefit from true connectivity both nationally and on a global scale.”
Knight Frank Chief Executive Officer James Patterson said he was immensely proud and excited to announce the opening of McGrath Knight Frank Tamworth.
“The opening of the first dual-branded office for McGrath and Knight Frank marks a very significant milestone in the partnership between our two brands,” he said.
“Moreover, we are thrilled to be announcing the first dual-branded office in this location, with an extremely experienced and reputable team that has been operating in the area for a very long time.
“Gavin is highly regarded in the local property market, and we are confident he will lead our teams to success, offering the full suite of property services to provide the best service to our clients.
“We believe Tamworth, and more broadly regional NSW, has strong growth prospects and we look forward to strengthening the presence of our two brands in the area over the coming years.”
McGrath Chief Executive John McGrath said he regarded the first dual-branded office both exciting and important as it signifies the strong alignment and synergy between Knight Frank and McGrath.
“Equally McGrath has a strong commitment to regional and rural Australia and we believe that Tamworth has great potential to benefit from our joint offering,” he said.
“This is a thriving regional city with a progressive business community and a proactive council focused on population growth, industry development and commercial growth. The transition of Burke & Smyth to the distinctive McGrath Knight Frank dual-brand is a natural fit.
“Having McGrath and Knight Frank coming together in our first dual-branded office has created one of the strongest offerings in real estate services in the region. We believe our dual-branded offices will be a model that works well in regional areas, and we look forward to opening more.”
McGrath Upper Hunter Principal Michael Burke, whose father founded Burke & Smyth in Tamworth, supported this view:
“Burke & Smyth has always felt like an extension of my family itself—deeply personal, committed and trusted. That legacy, built since 1971, remains at the heart of the business, and I have every confidence that Gavin and his exceptional team will continue to honour it as they embrace this next chapter.
“I am looking forward to working alongside them to create even more value for our clients from the New England to the Hunter Valley. Tapping into the strength of the McGrath network has been a game changer for us—and I have no doubt it will be the same for Burke and Smyth and their clients.”
The new McGrath Knight Frank Tamworth office will be located at 266 Peel Street.
Some of the most significant commercial transactions negotiated by the office in the area to date include the $15.1m sale of a homemaker centre at 31-41 Ringers Road, the $14.5m sale of the East Tamworth Medical Centre and the $9m sale of industrial subdivision Federation Park.
Some of the most significant residential transactions in Tamworth negotiated by the office to date include 43 Heiligmans Lane for $3.27m, 45 Napier Street for $1.4 million and 63 Roberts Road for $1.738m.